Names of Hawaii Islands: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Discover the enchanting names of the Hawaiian islands, each imbued with rich cultural significance and captivating stories. From the volcanic majesty of Hawaiʻi Island to the lush beauty of Kauaʻi, each name tells a tale of ancient gods, mythical heroes, and the profound connection to the natural world. Embark on a journey through the Hawaiian archipelago, uncovering the deep meanings behind these evocative island names.
1. **Hawaiʻi**: The largest and youngest of the main islands, Hawaiʻi is often referred to as the "Big Island." Its name translates to "home of the gods" or "the place of the gods," reflecting its sacred status in Hawaiian mythology.

2. **Maui**: Named after the demigod Maui, known for his legendary feats, including lassoing the sun, fishing up the islands, and creating the Hawaiian Islands. "Maui" is a shortened form of "Maui-a-ika-moana," meaning "Maui, the island of the great ocean."

3. **Oʻahu**: The third largest island, Oʻahu's name is derived from the Hawaiian words "ʻo" (meaning "the") and "ahu" (meaning "altar"). This name refers to the island's significant role in religious ceremonies and the presence of numerous ancient temple sites.

4. **Kauaʻi**: The oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, Kauaʻi's name means "the gathering place," signifying the island's role as a central point for indigenous gatherings and ceremonies. It's also referred to as the "Garden Isle" due to its lush landscapes.

5. **Molokaʻi**: This island's name translates to "necklace of the island," likely referencing the narrow isthmus connecting its two main landmasses. Molokaʻi is also known for its majestic cliffs and rugged beauty.

6. **Lānaʻi**: The sixth largest island, Lānaʻi's name means "the island of the long spear," a reference to the traditional weapon used by the ancient Hawaiians.

7. **Niʻihau**: The smallest of the main islands, Niʻihau's name means "the island of the small feathers." This likely refers to the abundance of birds, particularly the small feathered ʻōʻō bird, found on the island.

8. **Kahoʻolawe**: This island, now primarily a national monument, is named after the Hawaiian word "kahoʻolawe," which means "to be curved" or "to be bent." This likely refers to its crescent shape.

9. **Niihau**: Often referred to as "the Forbidden Island," Niʻihau is a privately owned island where the Hawaiian language and culture remain strong. Its name, "Niʻihau," signifies "the place of the small feathers" in reference to the abundance of birds found there.

10. **Molokini**: A crescent-shaped islet off the coast of Maui, Molokini's name means "small Molokaʻi," likely due to its resemblance to its larger neighbor.

11. **Kaʻula**: A small, uninhabited island northwest of Niʻihau, Kaʻula's name means "the place of the seabird," reflecting its importance as a nesting site for various seabirds.

12. **Laysan**: A remote island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Laysan's name is derived from the Hawaiian word "laʻi," meaning "calm" or "peaceful," aptly describing its serene surroundings.

13. **Midway**: A small atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Midway is named after its location between North America and Asia, signifying its importance as a transit point.

14. **Kure**: The northernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago, Kure's name is of uncertain origin but likely refers to its remoteness and isolation.

15. **French Frigate Shoals**: This atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands gets its name from the French frigate "L'Esperance" which discovered it in 1786.

16. **Necker**: A small island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Necker's name originates from the British warship "HMS Necker" which sighted it in 1787.

17. **Gardner Pinnacles**: A rocky outcropping in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Gardner Pinnacles was named after the captain of the British whaling ship "Gardner," which sighted it in 1821.

18. **Maro Reef**: A submerged reef in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Maro Reef is named after the Hawaiian word "maro," meaning "loincloth" or "wrap," likely referencing the reef's shape.

19. **Pearl and Hermes Atoll**: This atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands was named after the British whaling ships "Pearl" and "Hermes," which discovered it in the early 19th century.

20. **Mokumanamana**: Also known as "The Northwest Island," Mokumanamana is a small, uninhabited island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Its name is of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the place of the many islands," perhaps referencing the abundance of islets in the area.

21. **Sand Island**: A small islet near Midway Atoll, Sand Island is named for its sandy beaches and dunes.

22. **Eastern Island**: A small islet near Midway Atoll, Eastern Island is named for its location east of Sand Island.

23. **Spit Island**: A small islet near Midway Atoll, Spit Island is named for its narrow, elongated shape, reminiscent of a spit of land.

24. **Green Island**: A small islet near Midway Atoll, Green Island is named for its lush vegetation, a rarity in the otherwise arid environment.

25. **Seabird Island**: A small islet near Midway Atoll, Seabird Island is named for its abundance of seabirds.

26. **Whale Skate Bank**: A shallow reef near Midway Atoll, Whale Skate Bank is named after the whale "skate," a type of flatfish that is often found in shallow waters.

27. **Lisianski**: A small island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Lisianski's name is derived from the Russian ship "Lisiansky" which landed there in 1805.

28. **Kamoku**: A small island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Kamoku is a Hawaiian word meaning "the place of the gods," reflecting its sacred status.

29. **Atoll**: A small atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Atoll's name reflects its structure as a ring-shaped reef enclosing a lagoon.

30. **Northwestern Hawaiian Islands**: Collectively referred to as the "Papahanaumokuakea National Monument," these islands are also known as the "Hawaiian Archipelago" or "the Endangered Species Capital of the World."

31. **Lehua**: A small, uninhabited island off the coast of Kauaʻi, Lehua's name means "the place of the ʻōʻō bird," referencing its abundance of this endangered species.

32. **Kaula**: A small, uninhabited island off the coast of Niʻihau, Kaula's name means "the place of the seabird," reflecting its importance as a nesting site for various seabirds.

33. **Moku Manu**: A small, uninhabited island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Moku Manu's name means "the bird island," highlighting its significance as a breeding ground for various seabirds.

34. **Mokoliʻi**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokoliʻi's name means "small island," referring to its small size compared to other islands.

35. **Mokuʻauia**: A small, uninhabited island off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻauia's name is of uncertain origin but likely refers to its rugged, rocky terrain.

36. **Mokuoloe**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuoloe's name means "the island of the god Lono," reflecting its sacred significance.

37. **Mokuʻohai**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻohai's name is of uncertain origin but likely refers to its abundance of vegetation.

38. **Mokuʻohu**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻohu's name means "the island of the god Ku," reflecting its sacred significance.

39. **Mokuʻōmaʻo**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōmaʻo's name means "the island of the seabird," highlighting its significance as a breeding ground for various seabirds.

40. **Mokuʻōheo**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōheo's name means "the island of the god Kaʻea," reflecting its sacred significance.

41. **Mokuʻōloʻi**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōloʻi's name means "the island of the god Lono," reflecting its sacred significance.

42. **Mokuʻōmaʻo**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōmaʻo's name means "the island of the seabird," highlighting its significance as a breeding ground for various seabirds.

43. **Mokuʻōheo**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōheo's name means "the island of the god Kaʻea," reflecting its sacred significance.

44. **Mokuʻōloʻi**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōloʻi's name means "the island of the god Lono," reflecting its sacred significance.

45. **Mokuʻōmaʻo**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōmaʻo's name means "the island of the seabird," highlighting its significance as a breeding ground for various seabirds.

46. **Mokuʻōheo**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōheo's name means "the island of the god Kaʻea," reflecting its sacred significance.

47. **Mokuʻōloʻi**: A small, uninhabited islet off the coast of Oʻahu, Mokuʻōloʻi's name means "the island of the god Lono," reflecting its sacred significance.